By Suleman Chitera
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has strongly rejected social media claims alleging that South African businessman Zunaid Moti has been appointed to a diplomatic role by the Malawi Government and granted preferential treatment, describing the allegations as false, malicious and designed to mislead the public.
In a statement signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, the OPC said the reports currently circulating on various social media platforms are entirely unfounded and should not be treated as factual.Mutharika, First Lady Support 1,000 Repatriated Malawians with Relief Items
The government said the misinformation appears intended to damage the image of President Peter Mutharika’s administration, create unnecessary public suspicion and erode confidence in government institutions.
“The allegations are false, malicious and intended to mislead the public while undermining confidence in the administration,” the statement said.
Government Dismisses Claims of Special Favours
The OPC categorically denied allegations that Moti has been appointed to any diplomatic or government position in Malawi.
It also rejected claims that the businessman has received special treatment from the government, including the awarding of lucrative state contracts or preferential access to government opportunities.Parliamentary Committee Begins Hearings into Chikangawa Plane Crash Investigation
According to the statement, no individual has been granted favours outside established government procedures, and the allegations circulating online have no factual basis.
Mining Licence Claims Also Rejected
The government also used the statement to address reports suggesting that new mineral licences have been issued to favoured individuals.
The OPC clarified that the government continues to enforce a moratorium on the issuance of new mineral licences, a policy introduced after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) assumed office.
According to the government, the temporary suspension was necessary to facilitate a nationwide compliance audit and clean up the country’s mining cadastre system, which had accumulated numerous inactive and non-compliant licence holders over the years.Mutharika Reshuffles Cabinet, Expands Executive to 28 Ministers
The statement stressed that no new mineral licences have been issued during the moratorium, directly contradicting claims circulating on social media.
Officials said the ongoing exercise is aimed at improving transparency, strengthening governance in the mining sector and ensuring that future licensing is conducted under a credible and accountable system.
Warning Against Misinformation
The OPC has urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it online, warning that false claims can fuel confusion, damage reputations and undermine public trust in government institutions.
Authorities encouraged citizens to rely on official government communication channels for accurate information rather than unverified social media posts.
The latest clarification comes as misinformation continues to spread rapidly across digital platforms, prompting government agencies to increasingly issue public statements correcting false claims and reassuring the public about official policy decisions.
The OPC reiterated that Zunaid Moti holds no diplomatic appointment, has received no preferential treatment from the Malawi Government, and that the country’s moratorium on new mineral licences remains fully in force pending completion of the ongoing audit of the mining cadastre system.
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